Filamentous Embolization Device With Expansible Elements
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Abstract
An embolization device for occluding a body cavity includes one or more elongated, expansible, hydrophilic embolizing elements non-releasably carried along the length of an elongated filamentous carrier that is preferably made of a very thin, highly flexible filament or microcoil of nickel/titanium alloy. At least one expansile embolizing element is non-releasably attached to the carrier. A first embodiment includes a plurality of embolizing elements fixed to the carrier at spaced-apart intervals along its length. In second, third and fourth embodiments, an elongate, continuous, coaxial embolizing element is non-releasably fixed to the exterior surface of the carrier, extending along a substantial portion of the length of the carrier proximally from a distal tip, and optionally includes a lumenal reservoir for delivery of therapeutic agents. Exemplary methods for making these devices include skewering and molding the embolizing elements. In any of the embodiments, the embolizing elements may be made of a hydrophilic, macroporous, polymeric, hydrogel foam material. In the second, third and fourth embodiments, the elongate embolizing element is preferably made of a porous, environmentally-sensitive, expansile hydrogel, which can optionally be made biodegradable and/or bioresorbable, having a rate of expansion that changes in response to a change in an environmental parameter, such as the pH or temperature of the environment.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A fallopian tube occlusion device comprising:
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an elongated carrier; and an expansile element encapsulating at least a portion of a length of the elongated carrier. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A tubal sterilization device comprising:
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an elongated carrier having a secondary unconstrained looped structure; and a plurality of hydrophilic expansile elements encapsulating the elongated carrier at spaced intervals along a length of the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for tubal sterilization comprising:
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introducing a distal end of a deployment device proximate a target site; passing a tubal sterilization device in a first state through a lumen of the deployment device so that the tubal sterilization device emerges from the distal end of the deployment device substantially into the target site, transforming the tubal sterilization device from the first state to a second state that substantially occludes the target site; and withdrawing the deployment device from proximate the target site such that the tubal sterilization device remains in the target site after withdrawal of the deployment device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for making a fallopian tube occlusion device, the method comprising:
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providing an elongated carrier; encapsulating at least a portion of a length of the carrier in an expansile hydrophilic element; and dehydrating the expansile hydrophilic element. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification